Trenching machine



Aug. 16, 1932. J. H. MACDONALD TRENCHING MACHINE Filed Feb. 14, 1930 8 Sheets-Sheet l Aug. 16, 1932. J, H MACDONALD 1,871,856

TRENCHING MACHINE Filed Feb. 14, 1930 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 Aug. 16, 1932. J. H. MACDONALD 3 L TRENCHING MACHINE Filed Feb. 14, 1950 s Sheets-Sheet 3 UHHHHHHHH Aug. 16, 1932. J MACDONALD 1,871,856

TRENCHING MACHINE Filed Feb. 14. 1930 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 JQsonEMatcZonai 09 of zqga Aug. 16, 1932. J. H. MACDONALD 1,871,856

TRENCHING MACHINE Filed Feb. 14,1930 3 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 cfiaqrzmacdo zdmar rag s 9 J. H. MACDONALD I 1,871,856

THENCHING MACHINE Filed Feb. 14, 1950 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 TRENGHING MACHINE Filed Feb. 14, 1930 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 RVBTZZE Aug. 16, 1932. J. H. MACDONALD TRENCHING MACHINE Filed Feb. 14, 1930 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 G ii i that the trenching device can be quickly con Patented Aug. 16, 1932 TES warren sTA JASON H. MACDONALD, on MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin, AssIeiton To 0. 'H. &' nhnurao'runrne COMIANY, inc, 0]? MILW'AUKEE, wIsooNsIN TRENCHING MACHINE Application filed February 14, 1930. S'erialNo. 428;.225.

This invention relates to improvements in trenching machines and more particularly to a tractor trenching machine.

One of the objects of my invention is the pr vision of a trenching machine which is used in connection with a tractor and the driving means for the trenching device is operatively connected to the main driving shaft of the tractor engine in such manner nected to the tractor enginei'or operation, or quickly detached when desired.

Another object 01 my invention is the provision of a trenching machine which is of the 'tractor type wherein the device can be readily moved from place'to place and the construction includes means whereby the tractor can be driven at different ratesof speed so that when the trenching device is not inuse,

the tractor can be quickly driven from place to place and when the trenching device is in use the tractor can he moved at a very low rate of speed so as to move the trenching de vice along in accordance with its digging operation.

A further oh ect of the invention is the pronon improved hydraulic means for lzliEJ and lowering the trenching means with r" ect to the tractor means, whereby the t1 arching means can be disposed at various angles with'respect to the tractor 1-n accordance with the digging operations so that the trenching and digging means can always be moved into contact with the earth and raised and lowered at the will of the operator.

r; still further object of the invention is the provision of novel means for connecting the digging mechanism with the drive shaft of the motor which is carried by the tractor so that the digging means can be readily operated from the motor of the tractor or dis connected therefrom.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of an improved connection be- ".tween the vtractor means and the motor,

whereby the tractor may be driven at different rates of speed and reversed at the will of the operator, as well as means for readily tightening the tractor belt when so desired.

i A still further object of the invention is the provision of a tractor or trenching'machine wherein the operating levers are arranged in a novel manner in close proximity to each other so that the operator can remain in one position and still have all of the operating levers within his reach so that any change in the operation of the machine caii be quickly and readily accomplished 'r nothe'r object of the invention is the proylsion of a machine of the above character lncludlng novel means for steering, wherein both of the tractor shafts may be driven siniultaneously,vor one may be driven independently of the other.

With the above and other objects in view,

the invention consists in the novel features of construction, the combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fu-lly' "set forth, pointed ontin the claims and shownin the accompanying drawings wherein a j Figure 1 lsa top plan view of a tractor trenchmg machine constructed in accordance with my invention;v

Figure 2 is a side elevation looking at one side ofthe machine;

. Figure 2A is a-detail section on the'line 2A'2A of Figure 1; h

Figure 3 is a side elevation looking towa rd the opposite side from that shown in- Figure 2, with parts omitted "and also parts broken away and shown in cross section;

I Figure-4 is a longitudinal sectionfon-the line 44 of Figure 3; l

Figure 5 is a detailed section of the digging 1 element with parts illustrated in elevation;

Figurefi is a diagrammatic view ofthe digging elements and the conveyorlbelt;

Figure 7 is asectional view on the line 7--7 of Figure 3;

Figure 8 is a section on the line 8-8 of Figure 3;

Figure 9 is a section on the line 9-9 of Figure 8; 5 Figure is a section on of Figure 9; v

Figure 11 is a plan view illustrating the relative positions of the driving elements and,

Figure 12 is a top plan view of the four- Way valve which controls the hydraulic hoist for the-trenching or digging elements Figure 13 is a detail plan view of'the'driving and steering connection; Figure 141 is adetail elevation draulic lift; "f j" ,o Figure 15 is'a face elevation of -oneof the driving bevel gears.

the line 10-10 lbea'ms 1- connected at the forward end by the transverse angle beam 2, and'theymay' be further 1 connected by any suitable type-- of 225 connecting means inorder to form a substantially rigid frame for the entire" structure; eAt sthe i forward end E of the' 1 frame is the engine housing 3 having cover- 1 and a re- -movable side member 5 -whereby access to the 90 engine maybe I readily obtained? Directly back: ofthe I housing 3 is the usual clutch housing '6, and adjacent the; clutch housing is v a second housing 7 for the reduction gears, s and @leading fromthe housing l 7 is drive rndp u; 5 Extending .transversely "of: the frame "is what. is hereinafter to be known as thedrive shaft indicated at 10. Loosely mounted upshaft'8havinga-bevelledpinion 9 atits outer 40 Jon? the drive shaft 10 are -*the -'oppose'd bevel Egears .slli-and '12 and keyed to the shaft =b'etween: the; bevel gears 11- and 12 is' a sleeve 13 having'clutch faces:"1 1and*f15;at opposite :endsthereof with still 'threads lfinpon the 5 exterior'oflthe sleeve. a, -;Due to itherfact that thebevel gears ll and =12 are rotating in opposite directions; itf w-i'll be noted that whenthe sleeve-13 is connected to; thebevelgear-12,,theshaftiJIOL will be rotated in a' forward driving, direction and when; 121 ,81 Sleeve -is engaged with the bevel gear 11, the shaft will bedriven'in reverse direction. e j a 7,; 1 The sha ft 10, is. suitably mounted: in bearlff and 17a11d the bevel gears l l and 12am arranged inlth'eir proper relativepp itions by having one o f thejgears engaging the "bearing 17 and the other gear 11 abutting against a fixed collar 18;01'1 the shaft which is co anged in p'ositionby means of 'a's'etfsc'rew -large sprocket wheel-19, thehu'bZQ of'which abuts against the fixed collar 21 0n shaft e ht;

.. nThsye Sprockets 321 11 1 10 which is retained against movement by means of a set screw 21.

Arranged in opposed relation with the sprocket 19 and loosely mounted upon the shaft 10 with its hub abutting the bearing 17 is a sprocket 22. Keyed to the shaft 10 and positioned between the two sprockets 19 and 22 is a sleeve 23 having an annular rib 24.

The ends'of the sleeve 23 are formed with clutch faces 25 and 26, the clutch face 25 being ada'pted to cooperate'with a similar face muonethe hub 20 on the sprocket 19 for driving the sprocket with the shaft 10 and the hub of fthesprdbkt22lis provided with a clutchface adaptedto cooperate withc'lutch face 26 on V the s1eeve23 for driving this sprocket. From Referring more particularly to the draw: it ings, it will be noted tllatthe operative'vparts;

20 of the machine are mounted upon a suitable frame which includes the parallel! channel slee'ves 13 and 23 7 the foregoing, it will be apparent that the two sprockets 19 and 22, may be easily driven either in a forward or a reversed direction in accordance with the relative positions of the Mounted upon" one enc'l'of-the shaft 10 j and keyed theretoare two adjacent sprockets 27 and 28', "the sprocket' 27 being somewhat smaller in" diameter than the sprocket 2 8"and used for driving the tractor at a comparative- 1y: low rateof speed when the digging mecha- *IllSIIIQl'S inoperatiom The sprocket'28 can difl'erent rate of speed.- s I Supported upon the frame rearwardly of "also be' used for drivina: thetractor at a the; shaft -10 is'=a gear housing-29 which is 'preferably liquid tight as it is necessary to have this-housing filledto'a predetermined "depth *with lubricating oil and extending *transveriselythroughthis housing 29 are the superposed shafts' 30 and 31 ,th'e shaft 30 be- .ing arranged beneathth e shaft3'1. The shaft '31 projectsbeyond'tlie housing-29 at one side offthe-machine, as shown inFigu'res 7 and 11 and-has mounted' thereon two adjacent sprockets 32and33, the sprocketi 32 being ;somewhat"larger than the sprocket 33 for low driving speed.

} '33'niay be'connected upto-the sprockets 27 and 28 by meansof asprocket chairi 34;" "As shown in Figure 11, :the sprockets 27 and 32 are connected by the chain 345 foricomparatively' 'low driving speed; butyhowever; shoul'd it'bedesired to :-increase the speed of driving, the chain 34 jean. be readily shiftedto' engage sprockets 28- and 33: 'The shaft '31'ismounted in the sides of thehousing "in suitable bearings 35 and-35" and'loosely' mounted upon the shaft 1'31 adjacent t heb'ear'ir'ig 35 is agear 36, and inount'ed upon thefshaft'adjacent bearing 35 isa sleeve "37 rotatedindependently of shaft 1 '31 andc'arryinga pinion 38at oneend and the clutchmember 39'atthe other end.

The two gears or pinionsf36 and 38"a're -adapted-'to mesli withi comparatively large "gear's itl a'nd 40"-uponshaft 30.' It'will be v ncited that the diameter of pinion 36 is some- While the increased diameter of pin-ion 88 will drive shaft 80 at a higher rate of speed, and the relative width of pinions 86 and 88 vary to the extent that the pinion 36 is somewhat wider than pinion 38 and is adapted to be engaged by the clutch member 41 atone end of sleeve 42.

Sleeve 42 is keyed to shaft 31 and slides longitudinally of this shaft. The end of the sleeve 42 opposite the clutch member '41 is formed with a second clutch member 41 which is adapted to c-operate with clutch member 39 for driving shaft at a. slightly higher rate of speed than the connection with pinion 36. The sleeve 42 is provided with aplu'rality of still threads 48 adapted to be engaged by means of a toothed sector 44 mounted upon a vertical shaft 45. This shaft 45 has its upper end an arm 46 connected to the lower end of a hand lever 47 rockabl'y mounted on a bearing shaft 48. The shaft 48 has its ends rotatably mounted in suitable bearings 49 arranged upon the cover plate 50 which extends overthe top of the frame, as shown in Figure 1. Loosely mounted upon the shaft 30 are the beveled pinions 51 and 52,

each pin-ion having a clutch face 58 adapted "to be engaged by the clutch faces 54 on the ends of sleeve 55. Sleeve 55 is keyed to shaft 80 for longitudinal movement and has still threads 56 adapted to be engaged by a toothed sector 57011 a vertical shaft 58. The upper end of shaft 58 has an arm 59 Which is connected by means of a link 60 to the lowerend of handlever 61 rockably mounted upon shaft 48. whereby through the rocking movement of lever 61, shaft 58 will be rotated to impart a lateral movement to 57 so as to move the clutch faces 54-011 sleeve 55 into engagement withei'theroneof the clutch faces 53.

Shaft 80 is rotatably mounted in suitable bearings 62 carried by the side walls of the housing'29and keyed tonne end of the shaft 30 is a sprocket 68 connected to sprocket 19 by means of a sprocket chain 64. As shown in Figure 11, thestill threads 16 on sleeve 13 are engaged by a toothed sector'65 carried by a vertical shaft 66 carrying an arm 67 which is connected to a hand lever-68by means of a link-69 whereby shaft 66 may be rotated to impart a sliding movement to sleeve 63 for moving either one of the clutch faces 14 and 15 into engagement with either the bevel gear 12 or the bevel-gear 11. The'toothed'sector 70 is engaged with the annular rib 24 on the sleeve 28and is carried by a vertical shaft 71 which extends upwardly and has attached to its upper end an arm 72 connected by means'of alink 7 3 tea hand lever 74, whereby rocking movement of the lever 74 on shaft 48 'will impart a longitudinal movement to sleeve 23 and move either o'neof theclutc'h faces 25 or 26 into engagement'with theclutch engaged therefrom.

faces carried by the sprockets 19 and 22. Lever 68 is also rockably mounted upon-shaft 48 whereby the rocking movement of this lever will rotate shaft 66.

Engaged with bevel pinions :51 and 52 is at; bevel gear 75 upon the inner end of a shaft 7 6. ShaftTG-is mounted in a suitable bearing-in a partition 77 in the gear housing 29 and carries at its outer end a pinion 78 which meshes with pinions 7 9 and on the parallel shafts 81. and 82, thus driving thesetwo shafts simultaneously.

The pinions 79 and 80 are each formed upon a. sleeve 88 having still threads 84 and the threads 84 are engaged by the toothed sectors 85 and 86, sector 85- being mounted upon a transverse shaft 87 while sector 86 is mounted upon the inner end of a-sl'eeve 88 rotatably mounted upon shaft 87. Shaft 87 e -I tends outwardly beyond sleeve 88 and carries a hand lever 89, while sleeve 88 also has a hand lever 90 attached-to its outer end, whereby through the medium of the hand levers 89 and 90, shaft 87 and sleeve 88 may be rotated independently. I

Both sleeves 88 are keyed to the shafts 81 and 82 whereby through the manipulation of levers 89 and 90, both of the pinions 7 9 and 80 may be engaged with the pinion 78 on shaft 76 or either one of the pinions may be engaged with pinion 78 while the other is dis- At the rear of the frame of-the mac'hineand attached to the U beams, are the bearings 91 for the traction shafts 92. The outer ends of these traction shafts have attached thereto the driving wheels 93, while the inner ends project into a suitable housing 94 and are supported within bearings'95 carried by the top 7 sections 96 of the housing. The two top sections 96 are in separate pieces and are adapted to house the worm gears 97 on the two s'haffts 92. Engaged with the worm gears are worms 98 carried by the two shaft sections 99and 99 which in turn are operatively connected by means of the flexible connec-- tion 100 to the shafts 81 and 82, whereby the worms'98will be driven to rotatethe traction shafts'92 and impart'movement to the wheels A It will be noted that the inner ends of the shafts 92 extend through the hub sleeves of the worm gears 97 with their inner ends arranged in opposed relation and securedag inst movement relative thereto by means of the pins 101.

At the rear of the main frame, I provide a 'supplementaryframe 102 which is mounted of an adjustable support 107. This support- 107 is adjustable by means of "the adjusting ire inc

pended support 116. e 1 i .1neinbe1.s108 inorder to tighten or loosen :the chain 104.-p v

' The digging and conveying chain in- V cludes a plurality of receptaclelmembers 109 carried by the chain and arranged beneath the digging'shoes 110 which arepivotally mounted upon the transverse. pins ll'liwhich 6, the material carried upwardly by the shoes and vreceptacles will be deposited upon a transverse belt conveyor 112. This conveyor belt 112 passesaround pulleys 113 and 114, pulley 114 being supported by suitable brackets 115 at the, outer end of the sus- -.Pulley or drum.113 is mounted upon 32L longitudinal shaft 117 supported by bearings 118 andcarriesa clutch 119 adapted to. cooperate ;with. a clutchon sleeve 120' which carries a plurality of still threads. These still threads are engagedby a tooth sector 121 on a transverse shaft 122. Shaft-122ca'rries at itsopposite end a hand lever 123whereby to engage and disengagev the clutch .faces on members 119 and 120 forv imparting-rotative movement to belt 112. I

i Onthe forward end of shaft 117, isa

sprocket 124 connected bymeans ofa sprocket chain 125, to a'sprocket126 on shaft 8 where- .byshaft 117 is continuously driven while the motor is in operation and can beoperatively .connecte'dito the conveyor belt 112 through the manipulation of hand lever 123. I r

, Mounted upon the shaft 103 are the side bars 127 connectedat their forward ends by means of a transverse shaft 128, shaft 128 having; connected thereto a plunger 129 which 7 reciprocates within ahydraulic' cylinderl30.

In operating the plunger 129 in the hydraulic cylinder-139, I providea four-way valve 131 and the four outlets to-tlns valve are connected as follows: Outlet 132 is connected by means of a conduit 133to the upper end'of cylinder 130, while outlet 134 isconneoted by means of conduit 135 to thelower end ofcylinder 130. Outlet 136 is connected by means of a conduit 137 to the pipe 138which leads ,intothe housing 29, while outlet 139 is connected by means of a-conduit 140 to pipe, 141

which leads to one end ofthe cylinder 142.

The cylinder 142is connected to the pump cylinder 143 in which is operated arotatable pumping element connected to, shaft 144. The outer end of shaft 144 carries a sprocket 145 connected by means of sprocket chain146 to asprocket 147onshaft117 so that the pump 143 maybeoperatedduring the rotation of shaft 117.

Connected to the end of cylinder 142 opposite the outlet pipe 141 is an inlet pipe 148 which connects withthe conduit 149 leading drum 113 todrive the conveyor r lower endof; cylinder 130'there will be a discharge of lubricantatthe top ofthe cylinder valve the four-way valvev 131f is ,closed, lubricant pumped up into the pipe; 141 will be conveyed through conduit 150, through a relief valve 151 and thenc through the .connection138 back to, the housing29 .so that the lubricant" jwithin the housing 29 during the operation of the pump, is beingcirculated through the cylinder 1424 Howeveniwhen it is: desired to operatetheplunger 129 in, cylinder 130, the

relief Valve 151 is closed andthe fourway jvalve l31is opened, ;;Il1is four-way valve is operated, by means of a hand lever 152 so that when it is desired to, raise the; plunger 129, the valve is so positioned as to form a direct communication therethrough between conduits 140 and 135, and also establishing communicationbetweeniconduits 133 (and 13'], this arrangement; causing .the lubricant to be pumped .up througlrpipe 149,. through, cylinder 142, through pipe: 1 41, v through pipe; 140, thence through the valve and down through-conduit 135 to the bottom of cylinder ac.

sthe into the andthis dischargedlubricant will be carried oif throu h conduit 133, thence through the v I through conduit137, to pipe 138 andbackintothe-housing 29. 5

It willbe noted that when it is desired vto move theplunger. 129 down intoocylinder 130 the valve plug is turned soasto connect conduits 133 and140 together,and conduits 135 and 13,? together, then the lubricant is pumped into the cylinder .throughconduits 140 and 133 and conduit135 will carry off th surplus oil through 137 YiErom this, it will be apparent that thefour-way valve 131 is so arranged that conduits 133 or 135 may beconnected independently to conduit 137 or conduit140. It will be apparent fromjthe foregoing that theplunger: 129 can be moved'in either direction incylinder 130 for raising and loweringthe digging elements, the digging device beingillustrated in araisedposition in Figure 1, withthe plunger l29moved intothe,.cylinder 130.

Arranged j t th f rward are the traction guide wheels 153 one of said wheels being arranged upon ea'chside of the frame. Extending transversely ofthe main I frame is a non-rotatable supporting shaft 154 which, in connection with the shafts 92 support the longitudinal guide, bar 155 and arranged upon opposite sides of the guide bar 155 are the other .Su pportingfwheels 156 for the caterpillar chain 15? which passes around wheels 93 and153for moving the entire machine in either r direction.

longitudinally in slots 159, and in turn move the wheels 153 toward or away from wheels: 93 in order to tighten or loosen the tread 157.

It will be apparent that in the operation of my improved trenching machine, the traction elements may be driven independent of the digging device, so that when the digging device is not in use, the machine can be readily moved from place to place through its own power and when the digging device is in operation, the entire machine can be moved at a very low rate of speed and the speed changed whenever necessary. It will also be apparentthat by means of my improved connection to the wheels 93, the machine can be easily steered and turned about whenever desired. It will also be noted that the digging device can be quickly and readily raised and lowered-with respect to the" main portion of the machine and the material loosened and carried up by the digging machine can be quickly carried off to one side of the trench or ditch being dug.

lVhen it is desired to move the machine from place to place, the clutch 6 is operated by means of the hand lever 6 in order to impart movement to the shaft 8, the shaft 8 carrying the bevel pinion 9 which meshes with gears 11 and 12, and as both of these gears 11 and 12 are loosely mounted on shaft 10, it will be necessary to engage the clutch face 14 with bevel gear 12 for impartinga 4%: forward movement to shaft 10 and engaging clutch face 25 with the hub of sprocket 19 to impart a forward movement to this sprocket. The sleeve 13 is actuated by means of hand lever 68, while sleeve 23 carrying clutch face 25 is actuated by lever 7' 4.

The arms 67 and 72 which are connected to levers 68 and 74, respectively, carry looking means in the shape of a transverse sleeve- 162 and threaded into one end of the sleeve is an adjustable screw member 163 having a coil spring 164 bearing against the inner end thereof. The coil spring 164 bears against a slidable locking pin 165 which is adapted to fit into an indentation 166 in the cover plate to maintain the levers 68 and 74 in their adjusted position. At this point, it might be well to call attention to the fact that arms 59 and 46 which are connected to levers 61 and 47 respectively, are also provided with similar locking means adapted to engage in corresponding indentations to retain these levers in operative position.

It will be noted that when the clutch face place to place, the sleeve 42 can be in neutral position on shaft 31 as pinions 36 and 38 will rotate loosely on shaft 31 and thus leave this shaft idle during the time the machine is being moved from place to place. While the machine is being'moved from place to place, it will be noted that the steering operation can be easily carried out and the connection to the driving wheels 93 is provided for by shifting lever 61 so that sleeve will be moved toward bevel gear 52 whereby clutch faces and 54 will be incontact, thus im-.

parting a forward movement to bevel gear rotating shaft 7 6 which, through the medium ofv gear pinion 78 will rotate pinions 79 and 80 on shafts 81 and 82. It will be noted that when the machine is driving straight ahead, both of the levers 89 and 90 are in a forward position, as shown in Figure 1, positioning tooth sectors85 and 86 so that both pinions 79 and 80 are engaging the pinion 78. worms 98 and impart a simultaneous rotative movement to worm gears 97 for rotating shafts 92. 7

Should it be found desirable to turn the machme either to the right or left, either one of the levers 89 or 90 can be actuated to disengage one of the gear pinions 79 or 80 from gear p nion 78, thus leaving only one gear p nion cooperating with gear pinion 78 which wlllleave an operative connection to only one of the shafts 92, leaving the one remaining idle, whereby the machine will turn with the idle wheel 93 as a'pivot. 7 It will be noted that by means of the flexible couplings the parts in the housing 94 and 29 can be assembled separately and then the shafts 99 and 99 can be connected up to the shafts 81 and 82 through the medium of these flexible couplings. When the machine is set for operation and it is desired to move the traction at a low rate of speed during the operation of the digging device, the sleeve 23 is shifted by means of lever 74 until clutch face 26 is engaged with the clutch face on sprocket 22 and this sprocket 22 is connected by means of sprocket chain 1-67 to a sprocket 168 on shaft 103 for impart ing movement to the bucket chain 104. It will be noted that when clutch face 14 engages with bevel gear 12, shaft 10 is always traction movement or reverse the movement of the bucket chain in case any of the buckets become engaged with an object during thedigging operation, the sleeve 13 can be quickly moved on the shaft 10 to engage clutch face 15w'ith bevel gear 11, thus rotating shaft 10 in a reverse movement and reversing the This position will rotate movement ofthe traction as well as the movement ofthebii'cket chain. 2

"During the time-the digging device is in;

operation, it is necessarythatthe traction :;belts 157 be rotated at a-slow ra'te'of speed soas to move the entire machine forwardly at r a rate of speed which will correspond with the digging operation, and itwill be noted that during the digging operation, clutch w9face' 14 is inengagement with bevel gear 12 andthrough the medium of sprockets'27- and:

32 and chain 34, shaft 31 is driven at a low rate of speed, andin order to'connect up shaft 31 with shaft for driving I thetraction,

1 sleeve42 can be movedon shaft'31 to engage rate ofspeed.- However, should the digging operation require that the machine be movedata somew-hat higher rate of speed, clutch member 41". can-be engagedwith-clutch mem shaft 30 at a slightly ber 39, thus driving higherirate of speech 'The rate ofspeed at which thelmachin'e is:

moved during the diggingoperation-will dependupon th e' digging device'and'the type of 30 soil. through"which the buckets are being passed. Ifthe soil is rather hard, the lower rate ofispeed'will-be required, but if the'soil' is softand easily. removed from the trench,

a:higher rate of speed'will be requiredn" the digging. shoes llO'will contact with the earthand their cooperation with the recep-' taoleportions 109 carry thematerialupwardlyuntil the digging shoes begin to turn aei around the guide wheel 105, atqwhich-point they will deposit the material on the trans-- verseiconveyor 112 where it will be conveyed ofl' t-o the side of the trench being dug.- In' ets. rThis trough 169is suspended at its for, ward end by'means of suitable chains 170.

m which are connected to the forward ends of the side bars 127.: 7

mean shas' its outer end in a raised position so that this end will not contactwith-the 350i mountedupon shaft'103 and connected by means of shaft 128 to the plunger 129'which operates in-the hydraulic cylinder 1305and theoperator by manipulating hand lever 152,

can-control movement ofthe fluid under 11513 pumpp'ressure into either end ofthe cylin der forraising or lowering the bucket chain. It is'beheved from the foregoing that I have provided a trenching machine whereby trenchesfor pipe lines and the like, can be quickly dug at a very low cost with considerable'labor saving and when the'device is not in use can be easily moved from place to place. Atthis period, I wish to call attention'to the factthat while the machine is in digging operation and shaft 30 is being rotated, the sprocket- 19 which is connected by chain64to sprockets 63 will be idling on shaft10 as sleeve 23 has been moved to impartmovement to sprocket 22. 1 v I The bevel gears 11 and 12, as will be noted, in Figures-14 and 15 havetheir clutch faces comprising the spaced ribs ll 'and 12 which are adapted to be engaged'by the clutch faces 14 and 15 for imparting eithera forward or reverse movement to shaft 10. V

Attention is also directed to the fact that; attached to theoutlet pipe 141 of the cylinder 142'is a gauge i171 whereby the pressure of the pump 143 may be readily ascertained. While the use of this gauge is not essential, it-is rather desirable to have it attached to the cylinder 142 in orderto correctly deter mine the pressure necessary to raise and lower the digging device. 1

Iclaim: A

+1. A machine lof the class describedineluding ra' frame, aamotor carried thereby, traction means supporting the frame, a drivi ingi shaft having operative connection with 1 5 1 As the bucket chain 104 1s moved forwardly themotor, means for driving saidshaft in either direction,a bucketcha-in supported by thezframe, means formin operative connection between the driving shaft and the bucket chain, 1 means forming operative connection between the drivingshaft and the traction means,- and means for varying the speed of the bucket-chain andth-etraction means. 2. 'A machine of theclass described including a frame, a motor carried thereby, traction means supporting'the frame, a driving shaft having operative connection withthe motor, means for driving said shaft in either direction, a bucket chain supported by the frame, meansforming operative connection between the driving shaft. and the bucket chain, means a a y e a r formingoperative connection between the During the time the machine is being moved from placqtofplace, it will be noted that thehucket chain 104 and the supporting drivingshaft and the traction means, and means whereby to drive the traction means at different rates of speed independently of the ;.bucket:chain' or. simultaneously there Amachine of the class described includ ingia frame,ia motor carried thereby, traction means supporting the frame, a driving shaft having operative connection with the motor, means for driving said shaft in either direction, a bucket chain supported by the frame, means forming operative connection between=the driving shaft and the bucket chain, means forming operative connection between the driving shaft and the traction means, means for driving the bucket chain at different rates of speed, and means for driving the traction means ata rate of speed to correspond to the movement of the bucket chain.

l. A machine of the class described including a frame, a motor carried thereby, traction means supporting said frame, a bucket chain carried by the frame, spaced shafts carried by the frame, means forming operative connection between one of said shafts and the bucket chain, means forming operative connection bet-ween both of said shafts and the motor, means forming operative connection between the second one of said spaced shafts and the traction means, means forming operative connection between the two spaced shafts and means carried by one of said shafts for controlling the movement of the traction means and varying the speed thereof.

5. A machine of the class described including a frame, a motor carried thereby, traction means for supporting said frame, a pivoted support carried by the frame, a bucket chain carried by the support, a driving shaft having operative connection with the motor, means forming operative connection between the driving shaft and bucket chain, manually controlled means whereby to impart movement to the shaft in either direction, and means forming operative connection between the driving shaft and the traction means for driving the traction means at different rates of speed.

6. A machine of the class described includ ing a frame, a motor carried thereby, traction means for supporting said frame, a pivoted support carried by the frame, a bucket chain carried by the support, a driving shafthaving operative connection with the motor, means forming operative connection between the driving shaft and bucket chain, manually controlled means whereby to impart movement to the shaft in either direction, means forming operative connection between the driving shaft and the traction means for driving the traction means at different rates of speed, and manually controlled means for shifting the latter means to change the speed of the traction means.

7. A trenching machine comprising a main frame, traction devices carried by the sides of the frame, an elevated support on the frame, a supporting shaft on the elevated support extending transversely thereof, a bucket chain support including side bars rockably mounted on the shaft intermediate their ends, the forward ends of the side bars extending over the main frame, and manually controlled hydraulic means for swinging the bucket chain support including a transversely extending shaft arranged across the bucket chain support and having its ends connected consin.

JASON H. MACDONALD. 

